Apparatus for the manufacture of filamentary yarn



T. S. MAYNER Aug. 11, 1953 APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FILAMEINTARY YARN Filed Sept. 9, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR THOMAS S. MAYA/ER ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 )(y I ATTORNEY T. S. MAYNER Aug. 11, 1953 APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FILAMENTARY YARN Filed Sept. 9, 1948 INVENTOR THOMAS 3 MA YNER Patented Aug. 11, 1953 APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FILAMENTARY YARN Thomas S. Mayner, Willoughby Township, Lake County, Ohio, assignor to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application September 9, 1948, Serial No. 48,434

Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of artificial filamentary textile materials. More particularly this invention relates to apparatus for threading up a rayon spinning machine.

In the manufacture of artificial filamentary textile materials such as yarn or thread the filaments making the yarn or thread are generally formed at a constant rate; thereafter the newly formed yarn is usually temporarily collected at a predetermined rate, the rate of formation of the yarn being desirably correlated with the rate of collection. Where, however, yarn is spun at relatively high spinning speeds it is desirable and advantageous to vary the rates of yarn formation and of collection an extent which Will permit a manual manipulation of the yarn for threading up purposes.

In the production of viscose rayon yarn, particularly by continuous spinning methods, it is also common to treat the newly formed yarn while it is collected and temporarily stored on one or more of a series of thread-advancing devices after the yarn has been initially collected on a yarn-storing device. The speeds of rotation of these various yarn-storin and treating devices must of course be correlated in order to produce a satisfactory yarn product. Ordinarily, the speeds are such that there is no difiiculty in manually threading up the various devices. However,

when operating at relatively high speeds the rate at which the yarn is initially formed may be so high that it becomes diflicult to perform the manipulative operations necessary to collect the yarn on the first temporary collecting device. This invention provides suitable apparatus whereby such operating difficulties are considerably minimized.

The speed of rotation of the first yarn storing and withdrawing device can be reduced an extent to reduce the rate of yarn withdrawal from the yarn forming means which continues to operate at a constant predetermined rate. Such a temporary reduction in speed of the first yarn storing and withdrawing device will advantageously provide an operator additional time to properly place the yarn on the first device, adjust it thereon, and relay it to a next succeeding device. When the aforesaid manual operation is done the first yarn withdrawing device is then returned I to its normal predetermined speed which is correlated with the predetermined rate of yarn forming and the rates of further subsequent operations. The speed of the first temporary yarn storing and withdrawing device need only be changed and the rest of the apparatus in which the device is positioned can continue to operate at a normal predetermined yarn spinning rate. It may be desirable, however, to reduce the rates of speed of yarn forming as well as of yarn withdrawn. Obviously this can be done, the two rates being correlated in their reduced speeds.

In a continuous process the various operations are done generally on a plurality of thread storing, thread advancing devices, e. g. reels. The reels act as temporary thread collecting and storing devices, and also as thread Withdrawal devices and as treating stations where various treating fluids are applied. Further, since a continuous process machine usually spins a large number of yarns or ends simultaneously the threading up difiiculties increase in magnitude. Advantageously, then, the problem of threading up such a machine is minimized by the invention. Also, simultaneously with the threading-up operation the spacing of the turns of the helix can be desirably adjusted to enable the performance of a treatment on the yarn.

The pitch of the reel or the spacing of the turns of the yarn forming a helix can also be controlled, simultaneously, with the change in speed of rotation of the first yarn storing and withdrawing reel. The' yarn is initially desirably widely spaced when placed on the reel at a slower withdrawing rate, then it is adjusted thereon, and then the turns are desirably more closely spaced and the yarn forwarded at such lesser rate to the next reel. The reduced speed of the first reel also permits a better relay of the yarn to the next following reel or treating station.

The yarn withdrawing apparatus may comprise a thread-store, thread-advancing reel that embodies the principles of operation disclosed in the Knebusch Patent No. 2,210,914, although other thread-advancing reels also may be used. The Knebusoh reel is formed of two reel members each having a periphery of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bar members, the bar members interdigitating. Each reel'member is adapted to rotate on an individual aXis which is offset and askew to the other. As a result of such a relationship" of the reel members, thread or the like is advanced in a number of generally helical turns. The askew relation between the reel members which determines the pitch of the reel is adapted to be varied in the manner described in the Samerdyke Patent No. 2,244,119. A change in the.

askew relation of the reel members will vary the pitch or the spacing of the helix turns.

The variation in pitch advantageously can be coupled with a change in the drawing rate of the yarn. For instance, the change of the askew relationship can be coupled with a speed change transmission driving the yarn drawing reel. Where only the matter of threading up is to be considered and no treatment of the yarn the pitch can be one giving an open or widely spaced helix. Where, however, it is desired to perform a preliminary treatment on the yarn then it is advantageous to close up the pitch to bring the thread turns closer together so that a liquid can be applied in blanket form, for example, by the method described in the Burkholder Patent No. 2,272,- 182.

This invention will be better understood from the following description and the accompanying drawing where;

Figure 1 represents a partial section of a continuous process spinning machine incorporating this invention;

Figure 2 represents in substantial section the thread take-up device and a speed change transmission along with the means adapted to correlate the pitch of the take-up device with its change in speed;

Figure 3 represents in partial section the thread take-up reel pitch changing means; and

Figure 4 represents a mechanism adapted to actuate the reel pitch changing means of Figure 3.

In a rayon yarn continuous process machine having a plurality of treating stations represented by rotating reels upon which process steps are performed the formed yarn is, generally, passed from the bath to a yarn withdrawing reel and then to succeeding treating stations at predetermined rates. Where the rate of rotation of the withdrawing reel is relatively slow there is no difiiculty in threading it up as well as the remainder of the machine. Once the withdrawing reel is properly threaded and the yarn therefrom relayed to the next reel comprising a next treating station and aligned in the guides between it and the next reel, the rest of the machine is relatively easy to thread up. At high speeds, however, the threading-up operation of the first reel which draws the yarn or thread is faster and more abrupt so that there is not enough time available for a proper positioning of the yarn on such first reel and a relay of the yarn to the next succeeding reel, also its alignment in intervening guides, chutes, or a spinning tube. The speed then, of the first reel should be such so as to permit an eflicient and easy handling of the thread or yarn during the threading-up interval.

Referring to the drawing, which is of a portion of a continuous process spinning machine, a gear pump 8 is adapted to deliver through a mass tube 9 a yarn forming solution such as viscose to an extruding spinneret I0 immersed in a coagulating bath II. The quantity of a viscose solution that is continually delivered to the spinneret I0 is that required for continued normal high speed spinning. The yarn I2 is withdrawn from the bath I I by a thread drawing or take-up reel I3 positioned substantially directly above the spinneret I0. For threading up, the first drawing reel I3 is advantageously driven at a lesser speed than the normal required high spinning speed by the speed change transmission I4. After the thread has been placed on the reel I3, it automatically advances thereover in a plurality of generally helical turns.

Upon reaching a proper take-off point on the withdrawing reel I3 the yarn is led downwardly through transfer chute 24 to a next succeeding reel I8 and thereafter aligned in the guides I6 and I1. The yarn is further relayed from reel I8 to the next following reel I9 thence to further reels. At normal high spinning speeds the thread is let off too rapidly from the reel I3 to permit proper handling through intervening devices such as the chute 24 and a later proper alignment of the yarn in the guides I6, I1 to the next reel I8. The difficulty of handling may be increased where the yarn must be led, for example, through an elongated enclosure such as a tube to a spinning pot.

As stated, loss of time and material during the threading-up operation of a machine geared to high speed spinning is advantageously avoided by the reduced rotation of the take-up device I3. The reduction can be any desirable amount which will still give sufficient tension in the yarn to enable a threading up of the drawing reel I3. The range of the reduction in speed can be between the normal predetermined rate for subsequent spinning operations and the minimum rate at which the yarn can be frictionally retained on the drawing reel i3. Once the thread is adjusted on the reel and properly. relayed to the next reel, the spinning speed can then be readjusted to a normal high spinning speed, and the reel pitch, if it had been changed also readjusted simultaneously or separately to a normal predetermined pitch.

From reels I8, IS the yarn is led to the next and subsequent lower reels 20, 2I etc. for further processing. While on the reels I8, I9, etc. the thread can be subjected to aqueous medium treatments, the solutions being applied through distributor tubes 22 which are positioned above the reels. The reels I8, I9, 20, 2I, etc., following the take-up reel need not be changed in speed during their threading-up although, if it should prove necessary to do so, a similar apparatus to that being described can be employed for reducing their speeds, and/or their pitch.

There is provided by this invention a variable speed changing mechanism I4. A speed change lever 25 that is adapted to control the transmission I4 which drives the drawing reel I3 is shown being positioned within easy reach of the operator.

The thread drawing reel I3 and its driving transmission I4 along with the speed regulating mechanism are shown in greater detail in Figure 2. The speed change transmission I4 is adapted, as shown, to provide at least two changes of speeds, although an infinitely variable speed transmission can just as well be utilized. The operator when threading up reel I3 will actuate the lever 25 which is pivoted at a point 26 be tween its ends. The other end of the lever 25 terminates in a yoke 21 which is positioned in a grooved collar member 28 being a part of a splined gear cluster on a shaft 32 having gears 30 and 3I. The shaft 32 is coupled to the reel shaft I5 through a coupling device 33. The gear cluster integrating the gears 30, 3I is driven through either of the complementary gears 35 and 36 fixed on the shaft 31. Driving power for the transmission is provided through a helical power gear 39 which drives the keyed gear 35. Gear 3I is adapted to mesh with gear 35 to provide one speed, and gear 30 is adapted to mesh with gear 36 to provide a different speed.

The matter of altering the pitch of the reel I3 advantageously lends itself to the threadingup operation herein being described. Ordinarily when no preliminary treatment is performed on the take-up reel the reel pitchis not varied and the thread turns are generally left open spaced. When a treatment is performed the thread turns are generally closed up so as to'permit a blanketing of them by a processing fluid. Advantageously the change in the thread pitch can be correlated with the speed change transmission 4 so that both can be substantially simultaneously performed. The thread drawing device l3 comprises a reel formed of two sets of bar members 40 and 4| which are mounted on axes that are offset and askew to each other. The reel will cause an advancement of the yarn |2 over its periphery in a plurality of generally helical turns through the cooperation of the two reel members 40 and 4|. The reel member 40 is mounted on the shaft l5 while the reel member 4| is mounted by means of a cantilever type support on an eccentric 42. The reel member 4| is primarily supported at one end through its hub member 43 which rotates about a plurality of sleeves 44 and 45 positioned on the eccentric 42. The eccentric 42 is fixedly placed about the shaft l5 and has an axis that is offset and askew to the axis of the reel shaft.

The sleeves 44, 45 are designed to alter the askewness of the reel member 4| by their rotation in either direction. Rotating the sleeves 44, 45 in the one direction will tend to diminish the pitch or the thread spacing of the reel l3 and a rotation in the opposite direction will tend to increase the pitch of the reel. The construction and operation of such a pitch altering means is shown and disclosed in the Samerdyke Patent No. 2,244,119.

Should the transmission I4 be an infinitely variable speed type the speed range is then advantageously indicated by a scale 61 associated with the handle 25. Also should it be desired to only control the pitch of the reel regardless of speed a similar scale 68 can be utilized for solely that purpose by associating it with the bell-crank arm 50. To make the bell-crank independent of the transmission it would. of course, be necessary to disconnect it from the handle 25.

A movement of the lever 25 about the pivot 26 will actuate a bell crank 50 which is pivoted at" 5|. The bell crank 50 has within its ends slots 52, 53. A pin 54 fixed in the lever 25 moves in the slot 52 and thus the lever actuates the bell crank 50. The slot 53 of the bell crank 50 actuates a member 55 through a pin 56 fixed thereto. The member 55 is guided by a fixed sleeve 59. To the other end of the member 55 there are pivotally attached at 58 two arcuate arms 60 and 6|. The arcuate arms 60, 6| are attached at their other ends to extensions 62, 63 of the pitch determining sleeves 44 and 45. A movement of the member 55 will cause either a spread or a closing of the arcuate members 60, 6|, and thus of the sleeves 44, 45. Where the pitch of the reel does not need to be altered but merely the speed of the reel |3 is to be changed obviously then the means that change the pitch of the reel I3 can be dispensed with.

After a threading-up of the take-up reel, generally, the first lengths of the yarn |2 are discarded. In order to identify the length of undesirable yarn for discard there may be applied to the yarn on the thread take-up device a suitable coloring substance such as, for example, methyl orange for the interval covering the preliminary threading-up operation. When normal spinning speeds have been resumed then instead of methyl orange some'other preliminary treatment medium can be applied to the yarn on the take-up device l3, if it is so desired Also, where it is desired to perform an initial treatment on the yarn on the take-up reel and where the treatment is to be effective and itsuse economical the thread turns can be spaced close enough together so as to enable the formation of a. fluid blanket to effectively cover and saturate the yarn on the reel H. The treating medium can be applied by means of a distributor tube 64 the excess being'carried olfby a-trough' 65 placed below the reel.

1. In combination; a thread-advancing reel; a speed change transmission for driving said reel; said thread-advancing reel comprising at least two reel members mounted for rotation about axes eccentrically adjustable relative to each other so that upon rotation of the reel yarn is advanced in a plurality of turns in the form of a general helix; and a common control means for regulating the eccentric relation between the reel member axes and the speed of rotation of the reel.

2. In combination; a thread-advancing reel; a speed change transmission for driving said reel; said thread-advancing reel comprising at least two reel members mounted for rotation about eccentrically adjustable axes arranged relative to each other so that upon rotation of the reel yarn is advanced in the form of a general helix; and a common control means for simultaneously varying the arrangement of the reel member axes and the speed of rotation of the reel.

3. In combination; a thread-advancing reel; 8. speed change transmission for driving said reel; said thread-advancing reel comprising at least two reel members having peripheries of pluralities of longitudinally extending and interdigitating bar members, said reel members being mounted on axes arranged in a manner so that upon rotation of the reel yarn is advanced in the form of a general helix; means for varying the arrangement of the reel member axes to vary the pitch of said helix; means for varying the speed output of said transmission driving said reel; and a common control means for relatively regulating said both mentioned means.

4. In combination; a thread-advancing reel; a speed change transmission for driving said reel; said reel comprising at least two reel members having peripheries of pluralities of longitudinally extending and interdigitating bar members and mounted on axes arranged in a manner so that upon rotation the reel advances thread in a plurality of turns in the form of a. helix, means for adjusting the axes of said reel members relative to each other to vary the spacing of the turns of said helix, means for regulating the speed of said transmission driving the reel, and a common control means controlling the said means for simultaneously regulating the adjustment of the reel member axes and the speed of rotation of the reel.

5. In combination; a thread-advancing reel; a speed change transmission adapted to drive said reel; said reel comprising at least two reel members having peripheries of pluralities of longitudinally extending and interdigitating bar members, a shaft upon which said reel members are mounted, one of said reel members being concentrically mounted about said shaft, a nest of eccentrically positioned sleeves about said shaft, said other reel member rotating about said 9M. 391d slew/es "being .rotatable relative 1& cash oth r :to .thereby wary the eccentricity .of the nest 6f sleeves relative tp;the shaft, saiglxeel 9. .1.1 rotati n be n ada ted to advance t r a 11a p u a ty .0! nerally helical tur s len thwise of it Q phery. :means :f0r;;r 1a.tive1y'ro tatinseam s eev s to v ry th spacin f the turn termsa d h ix. f r r ati t e ougpupgf said transmission, and anommon eonfa mean eontrol n the a means/and thereeoordinaping the change in ,eccentrieijiy 01' memest o sleev s'to thesa d .speedrezulating means.

THOMAS S.

8 Cited in :the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date .OppenJaender et a l. July 20, 1937 Jordan Dec. 24, 1940 Kline et-al Jan. 21, 1941 .Samerdyke June 3, 1941 Stanley June 29, 1948 Rodgers Sept. 12, 1950 

